News

Empirehouse Wins National Glass Award at Glass Build Expo

Empirehouse entered our first national award competition and submitted a nomination to Glass Magazine for the 2009 Crystal Achievement Awards “Most Innovative Protective Glazing Application” category for the recently completed Warren E. Burger Federal Building in St. Paul. It was clearly an opportunity to show the high quality work Empirehouse produces, plus the Warren E. Burger Federal Building is an outstanding example of combining security products with a decorative frit element.

We were stunned and excited to receive the good news that we had won. General Manager James Bringle had the honor of accepting the award for Empirehouse at GlassBuild, the National Glass Association’s convention and exhibition in Atlanta, Georgia.

James said, “This was a very challenging project because of the variety of owner’s special needs and the custom products that Empirehouse used to create a transparent, yet secure facility.”

The interior all-glass walls had their own set of challenges including openings 30-feet wide and 14-feet tall with no horizontal joints, and minimal vertical joins, with 9-foot high glass doors with custom hardware. The use of light-colored custom fritted laminated security glass in the guard and entry security checkpoints made the space seem less severe, yet it provided privacy and the protection required. Even though it meets the protection requirements of these agencies, the environment sill allows visitors to experience an open and well-lit space.

This award proves that Empirehouse is not only a quality glazier in Minnesota, but we are capable of taking on national competitors and be successful.

Glass Magazine published a full page story about Empirehouse and the Warren E. Burger Federal Building project.